Vegetable Glycerin VS Propylene Glycol in E-Cigarettes. What is the Difference?

While relaxing, vaporizing with your favorite e-cigarette, have you ever wondered what you’re inhaling? If the vapors aren’t quite considered “smoke”, what exactly is blown out after each puff and more importantly are the ingredients safe for human consumption. Keep reading for more insight about e-cigarette, liquid ingredients and a popular misconception about one e-liquid specifically.

Electronic cigarette users know the two liquids used to make those thick, clouds of vapor are: VG or Vegetable Glycerin, derived from the carbohydrates of plant oils and PG or Propylene Glycol which is an Organic Compound. Basically, that means PG is made from organic or natural materials in a laboratory, by chemists.

Most e-cigarette companies use a mixture of both liquids in their cartridges, Vegetable Glycerin being at a maximum of twenty percent and the remaining percentage from Propylene Glycol. It’s possible, if you’re a more hands on type of person or just someone whom prefers to use Vegetable Glycerin, to purchase VG only liquid and refill your Nicotine Cartridges on your own, but that’s another topic we’ll touch on some time soon. The most common reason for the split in Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol is simple, VG is thicker. A thicker e-liquid will not work as well during long term usage and a daily vaporizing routine, simply because it adds stress to the atomizer.

Vegetable Glycerin comes in contact with the atomizer, the part of an e-cigarette that turns the liquid into vapor. Over time, atomizers used with an exclusive mixture of Vegetable Glycerin have a greater tendency to last half as long as an e-cigarette that uses a mixture of both liquids, simply because the atomizer must work harder to turn the thick, Nicotine laden liquid in to a vapor. Therefore, adding stress to that specific part of an e-cigarette.

Of the two liquids used, one has more controversy and rumor surrounding it than the other. Yes, Propylene Glycol has become the focus of many threads and blog posts. Some individuals believe PG is a harmful substance which shouldn’t be in e-cigarettes. I have to admit, I too was one of the skeptics whom believed the rumors circulating online. I am however, the type of individual who will research or find the underlying matter of said rumors, especially when I also use an e-cigarette on a daily basis. The vast amount of facts I’ve uncovered, have opened my eyes and also expand my mind regarding Propylene Glycol.

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, humectant. In fact, it is used in so many products used by consumers on a daily basis; it would be impossible to list them all. These products include items like, food coloring which we ingested, cosmetics worn on our skin which absorbs nearly seventy percent of everything we place on it. Most interestingly, Propylene Glycol is used as a solvent for injectable pharmaceuticals. A common reaction to using any e-cigarette containing PG is a sore throat. Humectants absorb liquid, therefore slowly dehydrating your body, especially your throat, where the vapors from an e-cigarette first come in contact with your body. A simple remedy is to consume more liquids and use throat lozenges too. This uncomfortable reaction usually lasts only a few weeks, until you’re accustomed to vaporizing.

Simple research using Wikipedia has led me to the conclusion that any controversy surrounding Propylene Glycol, is due to the use of a similar word, Propylene Glycerol. Most individuals are inadvertently confusing the two words Glycol and Glycerol. This misunderstanding has been creating a frenzy of health conscience people and people who use e-cigarettes in general, to ponder the safety of its use in e-liquids. There we have it folks, any lingering fears about how Propylene Glycol may be unsafe for use in e-cigarettes can be put to rest.